Army studies concussions' effects on bomb techs

In this June 3, 2010 photo, 1st Lt. Timothy Dwyer performs a cognitive test which requires him to press a small light as it becomes illuminated while at the same time counting backwards from 100 by sevens, as occupational therapist Jenny Owens takes notes at the Fort Campbell Army base in Fort Campbell, Ky. Soldiers from the Army's 52nd Ordnance Group based at Fort Campbell have undergone hours of exhaustive cognitive testing in the military's first-of-its-kind study of mild traumatic brain injury. This focus on the soldiers who find and destroy the powerful and deadly weapons is part of a larger effort by the military this year to better track and treat mild brain injuries. (AP Photo/Josh Anderson)
— AP

In this June 3, 2010 photo, 1st Lt. Timothy Dwyer performs a cognitive test which requires him to press a small light as it becomes illuminated while at the same time counting backwards from 100 by sevens, as occupational therapist Jenny Owens takes notes at the Fort Campbell Army base in Fort Campbell, Ky. Soldiers from the Army's 52nd Ordnance Group based at Fort Campbell have undergone hours of exhaustive cognitive testing in the military's first-of-its-kind study of mild traumatic brain injury. This focus on the soldiers who find and destroy the powerful and deadly weapons is part of a larger effort by the military this year to better track and treat mild brain injuries. (AP Photo/Josh Anderson)
/ AP

The Army released new rules this year for soldiers who are within 50 meters of a blast, are in a vehicle that rolls over or are in a vehicle involved in a blast. Those soldiers now must undergo a medical evaluation and be put on 24 hours of rest before returning to duty. Comprehensive evaluations will be mandatory after three concussions in one year.

Studies have shown that a person can fully recover after a concussion, but another concussion without time to rest can impair healing.

"The brain is using a lot of energy to heal, and if you stress the brain so that it runs out of energy, it's actually going to cause death of neurons," said Dr. David Twillie, director of Fort Campbell's Traumatic Brain Injury Center.

Twillie said he understands that some soldiers will not want to take a break from the fighting after a concussion, but he said the rest will keep more soldiers ready for battle.

"You can actually conserve the fighting strength by having a soldier take a knee versus breaking the soldier to the point where they won't be able to return," he said.